On Playing Benedick with Matt Shimkus

Playing Benedick in “Much Ado About Nothing” has been a “Bucket List” role for Matt Shimkus since he first encountered the play when he was 13. And he didn’t have to wait as long as he thought he would have to before getting a chance at the role. Listen to what Matt likes about playing the verbally dexterous character.

Comments

Where to begin? The quarreling lovers were perfectly cast. Matt Shimkus understands his lines and has a fantastic comic sensibility. Jennifer Lee Taylor is a delightful actor whose face absolutely mesmerizes even when it’s covered in grime (Pygmalion). Peter Jacobs plays Leonato perfectly with the easy confidence of experience. And the direction of Dogberry was damn well inspired.

Very, very nicely done. Thank you so much for a delightful performance.